Northern Illinois Food Bank partners with Advocate’s new Wellness Food Connection Food Pantry
Partnership addresses food insecurity and chronic health conditions
Northern Illinois Food Bank recently celebrated the opening of the Wellness Food Connection food pantry at Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.
This innovative program was designed to address the well-documented link between food insecurity and chronic health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Research has shown that individuals experiencing food insecurity face a significantly higher risk of developing these conditions.
The hospital’s new Wellness Food Connection resource is part of Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Build Healthy Communities program, which partners with 13 health care providers across six counties to ensure neighbors managing chronic diseases have access to nutritious food to support healthier lifestyles.
“Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital is proud to partner with the Northern Illinois Food Bank to help patients who may be food insecure,” said hospital president Eric Rhodes. “Access to nutritious food is an important part of overall wellness. Our commitment to the well-being of our patients extends beyond the walls of our hospital.”
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, held at Good Samaritan Hospital, highlighted the impact of this initiative in providing free, nutritious food to patients experiencing food insecurity.
By integrating food assistance into health care settings, this program aims to empower individuals to manage their health conditions more effectively and improve their quality of life.
“Northern Illinois Food Bank’s Build Healthy Communities program goes beyond providing food, it’s about enhancing the health and well-being of families experiencing food insecurity,” said Julie Yurko, president and CEO of Northern Illinois Food Bank. “By delivering fresh, nutritious groceries and linking individuals to vital health and support services, we’re creating stronger, healthier communities, one family at a time.”
“We deeply appreciate the hospital’s partnership and continued commitment to fighting hunger,” Yurko said. “Together, we’re inspiring healthier lifestyles and making a lasting impact in our community.”
The event featured remarks from program leaders, health care partners, and representatives from Northern Illinois Food Bank, who emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of health disparities and hunger in the community.
For more information about Good Samaritan Hospital’s Wellness Food Connection food pantry and other Build Healthy Communities initiatives, visit SolveHungerToday.org.
About Northern Illinois Food Bank
For over 40 years, Northern Illinois Food Bank has been dedicated to solving hunger and empowering neighbors. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and proud member of Feeding America, they serve 13 counties, providing 250,000 meals a day. They bring together manufacturers, local and corporate grocers, area farmers, corporations, foundations, and individuals who donate food and funding, and each week nearly 1,000 volunteers help us evaluate, repack, and distribute food. They also partner with more than 900 food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and youth and senior feeding programs to provide nutritious food and resources. The distribution centers are located in Geneva, Lake Forest, Rockford and Joliet.